Superseding Indictment Returned for the Drug Related
Murder of New Orleanian Tamira Johnson

MARCH 04 (NEW ORLEANS) –Don Brooks, age 19, and Antoine Brooks, age 21, both residents of New Orleans, Louisiana, were charged in a 9-count superseding indictment. In addition to the charges brought in the original indictment, the charges in the superseding indictment include discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime that resulted in the killing of Tamira Johnson. The charges in the original indictment included conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), marijuana, conspiracy to use and discharge firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence and drug trafficking crimes, discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and the murder of Harry Howard and Lamont Phillips.

On September 23, 2011, Tamira Johnson was walking to the store with her 13 year old son. As Tamira and her son were walking, Don and Antoine Brooks drove by in a SUV and opened fire with a .40 caliber handgun intending to kill a rival drug dealer who was standing on the corner. The Brooks brothers not only shot the rival drug dealer, but also Tamira Johnson who died at the scene from her injuries.

If convicted of the new charges, Don and Antoine Brooks face a maximum term of life imprisonment or death. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and New Orleans Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Sean Toomey. A criminal indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. That charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.